Texans’ secondary benefits from Danieal Manning’s leadership

Until this week when he practiced with his new teammates for the first time, free safety Ed Reed had been like a ghost in a haunted house — now you see him, now you don’t.

Reed would appear and disappear. Then he would reappear and disappear again. Was he in Houston or Atlanta or Vail, Colo., while recuperating from arthroscopic surgery on his hip?

When analyzing the safeties, if the subject wasn’t Reed, it was Shiloh Keo, his replacement, who could start for the first time in Monday’s regular-season opener at San Diego.

If Keo wasn’t the topic, then it was D.J. Swearinger, the impressive second-round pick.

Almost overlooked because he has been so good that he has been taken for granted is strong safety Danieal Manning.

You could make an argument that Manning might be the most important defensive back on the field for the game against the Chargers. Why Manning?

Because he has to cover tight end Antonio Gates most of the time. Gates may be 33 and in his 12th season, but he is a 6-4, 260-pound load who still can excel down the middle of the field when collaborating with quarterback Philip Rivers.

Manning (5-11, 212) is 31 and playing in his eighth season. The Corsicana native has been remarkably consistent in his first two seasons with the Texans.

Manning is a former cornerback who can play both safety positions and run with receivers. He is a physical player who can also have an impact on the running game.

With free safety Glover Quin leaving as a free agent, Manning has taken on a new responsibility that requires almost constant communication with the other defensive backs.

“He had GQ with him (and), and GQ was a kind of a field-general type of guy,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “That’s what Ed is, too. When Ed wasn’t (practicing), D-Man had to help Shiloh and get the group going.

“D-Man’s become a better player because of the, I guess, the forced role that he got put into during camp. He became more of a communicator and leader. I think we’ve all seen him improve, so it’s been encouraging.”

When Reed does return, Manning has the experience to jell with him. Reed is a cerebral free safety who watches tape and notices tendencies and sometimes free lances based on what he is anticipating when the ball is snapped.

It would be a smoother adjustment for Reed if he still played for Baltimore because his teammates in the secondary were familiar with his style of play. Manning’s experience will come in handy when Reed is finally on the field. Manning will be able to make an easier transition to a new teammate who is destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

While preparing for the Chargers and what they might do on offense under new coach Mike McCoy, Manning has done a terrific job working with Keo, a first-time starter keeping the seat warm for Reed, and Swearinger, a wide-eyed rookie trying to handle everything that has been placed on his plate.

Manning will have to play nursemaid until Reed is 100 percent. When Reed returns, he and Manning could form one of the best safety combos in the league.